GoSee gives High 5 to North Island New Zealand highway to steam, hiss and bubble adventure

State Highway 5 at 247km is the second shortest of New Zealand's eight national highways but it is the North Island's direct route to an amazing geothermal world which steams, hisses and bubbles.

It opens the door to New Zealand's iconic Te Puia, at Rotorua and the living Maori village of Whakarewarewa, giant Californian Redwoods in Whakarewarewa Forest, Huka Falls, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, and excellent Holiday Park accommodation.

Changes to the Resource Management Act must balance care for the environment with the pressing need for new infrastructure to cope with New Zealand's tourism boom, Tourism Industry Aotearoa says.

TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts today told the Local Government and Environment Select Committee that many tourism operators felt the RMA often hindered development. RMA requirements could be difficult, expensive and time-consuming.